The situation when the smartphone starts to work unstable, slow down or refuse to boot, familiar to many owners of devices Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco. Often the only effective solution to bring the gadget back to life without contacting the service center is a complete reset system. This procedure removes all user data, cache applications and accumulated system errors, returning the device to the state in which it was at the time of purchase.
Before you start manipulating, it is important to be aware of the irreversibility of the process. Hard Reset completely destroys information in internal memory, including contacts, photos, correspondence and installed programs. If you have access to the desktop or even to the settings menu, we strongly advise you to back up important files in the Mi Cloud cloud or on your computer.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to get the system back to its original state, and we will look at the standard methods through the MIUI menu, the use of Recovery engineering mode, and the advanced Fastboot tool for complex cases, and understanding the differences between these methods will help you choose the most secure and appropriate option for your particular situation.
Preparation of the device before complete reset
The memory cleanup procedure requires prior preparation to avoid loss of critical data or account locking. The first step should always be to check the battery level. It is recommended that the indicator show at least 50-60%, since the process of formatting the data partition is energy intensive and the power interruption in the final stage can lead to damage to system files.
The second, equally important, step is delinking accounts, and the current versions of the HyperOS and MIUI have strict anti-theft protection, so if you just reset your settings without leaving your Google Account or Mi Account, the next time you activate your phone, you'll need to enter a password from those accounts, and a forgotten password can turn your device into a brick, accessible only through a service center with a check of purchase.
☑️ Checklist before reset
⚠️ Note: Remove the microSD memory card and SIM-Although modern systems try not to touch external drives, the risk of accidental formatting or damage to the file table is.
Make sure you remember the pattern lock or digital screen unlock code.In some scenarios, especially when reset via the recovery menu, the system may request proof of identity of the owner to prevent unauthorized access to data.
Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings (Standard Method)
The safest and easiest option for every user is to use the built-in cleaning function, which is ideal if the phone is turned on, the screen is responsive to touch, and the settings menu is working correctly, and it doesn't require a computer connection or special knowledge.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. You're interested in About Phone. In the menu that opens, find Resets (sometimes called Advanced Settings depending on the firmware version). The system will offer two options: Reset (without deleting data) and Erase all data. We need the second option.
Once you select the Delete all data, the system will alert you to the risks and show you a list of what will be deleted. Confirm the action by entering the unlock password or pattern lock. If the device has an Mi Account on, you will need to enter the password from it. After that, the preparation process will begin, followed by rebooting and formatting directly.
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Before resetting through settings, make sure that Wi-Fi is enabled if you plan to restore data from the cloud immediately after the reboot, which will speed up the initial setup process.
The latency depends on the amount of memory you have. On current models with fast UFS drives, the process takes 5 to 15 minutes. Don't interrupt your phone or press buttons until the language selection welcome screen appears.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches of the screen or reboots cyclically, the standard method is not available, in which case the Recovery mode comes to the rescue, it is a low-level environment sewn into the device's memory that allows you to control the system bypassing the main interface.
To enter this mode on most Xiaomi models, you need to turn off the phone completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to keep the volume until the Main Menu menu appears.
From the recovery menu, select Wipe Data. Then the system will offer the option of Wipe All Data. Confirm the choice. After cleaning, select Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot → Reboot to System.
What if Recovery asks for a password?
It is worth noting that on some global versions of firmware, the Recovery menu may be stripped down and do not contain the option of a complete reset without connecting to a PC. In this case, you will need to use the Mi Flash Tool utility or switch to Fastboot mode.
Comparison of discharge methods: characteristics table
The choice of method depends on the current state of the device and your goals. Below is a comparison table that will help determine the best way.
| Parameter | Through Settings. | Recovery Mode | Fastboot (PC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to the OS is required | Yes. | No. | No. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Risk of data loss | Complete. | Complete. | Complete. |
| Use of PC | Not required | Not required | I'll be sure. |
As you can see from the table, Fastboot mode requires a computer, cable and special drivers, so it is considered as a method for advanced users or for cases where other methods do not work.
Recovery is a middle ground for resuscitating a phone without any additional hardware, but the interface can vary across models, sometimes causing confusion among beginners.
Solving the Problem: What to Do If Resetting Doesn't Help
There are times when after all the procedures, the phone behaves strangely: warms up, discharges quickly or starts to freeze again, which may indicate that the problem is not software errors, but incorrect installation of updates or damage to the system partition.
In such cases, experts recommend a “clean” firmware installation, which means downloading the current system image (Recovery ROM) from the official site, renaming the file to update.zip, placing it in the root of internal memory (if you have access to files), or using Recovery mode to install from local storage (Select package function).
⚠️ Note: Install firmware through Recovery is only possible if the version of the installed software is newer or equal to the current. Downgrade the system version (roll back to the older) through the standard recovery menu is impossible - this requires unlocking the bootloader.
If the firmware reinstallation doesn't solve the problem, there's a high probability of hardware failure, which could be flash memory degradation, power controller failure, or communication module problems, and then software methods are powerless.
Data recovery after resetting
Once you have successfully completed the procedure and set up your phone, you will begin to return your personal information, and if you have used Google services, your contacts, notes and calendar will automatically sync in the background when you enter your account.
To recover photos and videos, the best way to do this is to use the Google Photos app or Mi Cloud. If you've made a local copy on your computer, just plug your phone in. USB-cable-in-file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the data back to the corresponding folders.
Apps can be restored through Google Play Market. Go to profile, select App and Device Management, then the Overview tab or Not installed on this device, and check the programs you want and click the installation button, which will quickly bring back the familiar environment.
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Google’s automatic sync is the most reliable way to save data. Make sure that sync sliders are enabled in your account settings before you reset.